Global Knowledge Exchange Using References+ within the Siemens Intranet

References+ is an innovative Web 2.0 application designed to facilitate the worldwide sharing of knowledge, experiences, and best practices on the Siemens intranet. Efficient knowledge sharing focuses primarily on the user community, which currently has approximately 9,200 members, rather than on the IT application. References+ connects Siemens employees across organisational, hierarchical, and geographic boundaries, and stimulates direct communication. Observations have shown that the resulting knowledge transfer takes place not only via the application but also in tandem via bilateral communication channels.